Illahee State Park

A dense, verdant forest backs a shell-strewn beach at this classic state park, where a dock and a boat launch allow visitors to arrive by water or land. The fishing, crabbing and shellfish harvesting are superb, and the summertime waters are warm and inviting for swimmers, divers, paddlers and water skiers.

A playground, a softball field, horseshoe pits and volleyball courts await, ensuring fun for everyone in the family. A memorial featuring two large naval guns honors the park’s founder, Earl Hawkins, and the young men of Bremerton who lost their lives in World War I. Other activities include geocaching and metal detecting.

Pitch a tent or park an RV for a few days for a relaxing break at this Puget Sound beach park.

Park features

Illahee State Park is a 75-acre marine camping park with 1,785 feet of saltwater frontage on Port Orchard Bay. The park has ample parking, facilities and access to water. Illahee features a veterans' war memorial and the last stand of old-growth timber in Kitsap County. One of the largest yew trees in the nation grows in this park.

Discover Pass: A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the Discover Pass web page.

ADA amenities/facilities

Campground

Restroom

Picnic & day-use facilities

The park provides four reservable picnic shelters with electricity, plus 90 additional unsheltered picnic sites. To reserve kitchen shelters, call the park at (360) 478-6460. Picnic sites are available first come, first served. Day-use groups of 20 or more are required to register and pay the applicable fees.

Activities

Trails

0.5 miles of hiking trails

Water activities & features

356 feet of moorage

360 feet of dock

Boating

Boat ramp

Clamming

Crabbing

Diving

Fishing (saltwater)

Oyster harvesting

Personal watercraft use

Swimming

Waterskiing

Other activities & features

Beach exploration

Bird watching

Horseshoe pits (3)

Softball field

Volleyball fields (2)

Wildlife viewing

Interpretive opportunities

A veterans' war memorial is located in the park. Several interpretive displays are available that explain park features such as stilted trees, a Works Progress Administration-built kitchen shelter, totem garden, yew tree and the pier.

Additional information

The park provides a children's play area. As of July 2017, the playground items have been removed for safety concerns. The slide is still available.

Other activities available include geocaching and metal detecting.

A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting at Washington state parks. For regulations, fishing season information, or to purchase a recreational license, visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Boating features

Located in Kitsap County on Puget Sound, Illahee has one boat ramp.

Launching a boat at a state park requires one of the following:• An annual launch permit (Natural Investment Permit; or• An annual Discover Pass and a daily launch permit; or• A one-day Discover Pass and a daily launch permit.

A daily watercraft launching permit for $7 and a trailer dumping permit for $5 may be purchased at the park. Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available

Boat launch

Boat moorage

The park also offers a pier, 356-feet of moorage dock and five moorage buoys. Moorage fees are charged year-round for mooring at docks, floats, and buoys from 1 p.m. to 8 a.m. Daily and annual permits are available. For more information, call 360-902-8844.

Campsite information

The park has 23 standard sites, two full-hookup sites, five hiker / biker sites, one dump station, four restrooms (two ADA), and two showers. Tent spaces are suitable for any RV, but provide no hookups. Maximum site length is 40-feet (limited availability). Campsite reservations are available May 15 through Sept 15.

Reservations & fees

Reservations can be made online or by calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688. For fee information, check out our camping rates page.